Patents by Inventor Ronald G. Patterson

Ronald G. Patterson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20130228073
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for scrubbing diesel exhaust gases produced on a ship are provided. In an embodiment, a method for scrubbing diesel exhaust gases on a ship includes providing a scrubber vessel formed with a quench zone, a scrubbing zone, and a riser. Water is passed through the scrubbing zone and into the quench zone. The exhaust gases are delivered to the quench zone through the riser and enter the quench zone at a temperature of about 175° C. to about 340° C. The method includes cooling the exhaust gases to a temperature of about 60° C. to about 70° C. in the quench zone by contacting the exhaust gases with the water. The cooled exhaust gases are then scrubbed in the scrubbing zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald G. Patterson, Andrew J. Olds
  • Publication number: 20130228074
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for inhibiting backflow of liquid into an engine duct on a ship are provided. In an embodiment, a gas processing apparatus includes an engine producing exhaust gases. The apparatus also includes a processing vessel having a bottom end. The processing vessel is formed with an inlet, a riser having a riser opening, and a liquid outlet positioned between the bottom end and the riser opening. Further, a duct connects the engine to the processing vessel to flow the exhaust gases into the processing vessel. A secondary basin is positioned below the bottom end of the processing vessel. Also, a pipe connects the liquid outlet of the processing vessel to the secondary basin and is configured to flow liquid from the bottom end of the processing vessel into the secondary basin under force of gravity to prevent liquid from entering the riser opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald G. Patterson, Andrew J. Olds
  • Publication number: 20100224070
    Abstract: The vessel apparatus processes exhaust gases and effluent seawater on a ship. Structurally, the vessel apparatus includes a vertically oriented vessel. Further, a scrubber is positioned within the vessel to remove pollutants from the exhaust gases with seawater. Also, an effluent seawater processing component is positioned in the vessel above the scrubber. Between the processing component and the scrubber is a liquid barrier that prevents effluent seawater from entering the top of the scrubber while allowing exhaust gases to pass from the scrubber to the top of the vessel. For operation of the apparatus, effluent seawater resulting from the scrubbing process is recirculated from below the scrubber to a location in the vessel above the processing component. As a result, the effluent seawater may be processed above the scrubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald G. Patterson, Andrew J. Olds
  • Publication number: 20100135885
    Abstract: A system removes ethanol and other organic carbons from fermentation exhaust gases. Structurally, the system includes a first scrubber with top and bottom ends. Further, the system includes a second scrubber with a top end and with a bottom end in fluid communication with the first scrubber's top end. During operation, exhaust gases are introduced into the bottom end of the first scrubber. Further, a light alcohol solvent is flowed down from the top end to the bottom end of the first scrubber. As the solvent contacts the exhaust gases, it absorbs the other organic carbons. Thereafter, the exhaust gases enter the second scrubber's bottom end. At the second scrubber's top end, water is introduced and falls into contact with the exhaust gases, absorbing the ethanol. In this manner, ethanol and other organic carbons are removed from the exhaust gases solely through absorption by solvents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald G. Patterson, Andrew J. Olds
  • Patent number: 5391220
    Abstract: A pollution control system and method in which hot flue gas is cooled to saturation in a quencher and passed through a condenser absorber assembly to further cool the saturated gases while growing small particles as the particles act as nuclei for the condensation of water vapor thereon. The grown particles are carried through an aperture having a low pressure drop throat so that high efficiency particle collection is accomplished. At its outlet, the aperture produces a concentration of the gases and water droplets. A dome shaped gas reverser, having its concave surface directed upstream, is located spaced apart from the aperture and in substantial alignment with the outlet of the aperture. The gas reverser receives the gas stream as it exits the aperture, mixing and diffusing the gas and its constituents as they change direction to spill out over the lip of the gas reverser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Calvert Environmental, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald G. Patterson
  • Patent number: 4247308
    Abstract: A pre-atomized spray scrubber and related method is disclosed. The scrubber has special utility in the removal of particulate and gaseous contaminants from a gas stream and comprises a housing defining a flow path therethrough. The housing is divided into first and second sections by a deck which is configured such that as the gas stream flows through the first section, it flows across the deck and then into the second section. A series of liquid spray nozzle banks are disposed in the housing, either in the first or second section and are arranged and configured so as to aid in directing the gas stream from the first section into the second section. An entrainment separator is also preferably disposed in the housing to further aid in the removal of the contaminants from the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: Air Pollution Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Seymour Calvert, Ronald G. Patterson